Buck Dent Move: Who would you cast? I have gotten thru the book a second time now (Plus many sections 4-5 times via audible, falling asleep on planes to concerts – David’s voice is very relaxing lol) and keep seeing certain faces with the upcoming movie in mind. In no way do I hope to influence David and his team, but I thought it would be fun to share what is in my head and see who you see in these roles. Nor do I have any inside knowledge. This is all for fun online discussion. AND I want to put my picks out there and see how close I am. I don’t want to say I THOUGHT OF THAT after the fact. LOL
Buck Dent Move: Who would you cast?
SHALL WE PLAY A GAME….
The one face I keep seeing is Billy Crystal as Marty.
As a kid I loved his old characters, like the over the hill Catskills comic. His relationship to Robin Williams, in my head, makes him perfect, in kind with House of D. I love Billy Crystal in road trips scenes/movies and buddy/team comedies. And there is something funny to me about making the number one Yankees fan of all celebs a Red Sox fan. Maybe I just want to hear Billy say “BUCKY FUCKING DENT” (Insert picture here of BC wearing 61* hat – can’t find it – oh well).
But way beyond that his current look fits the character enough, his comic timing can sharply deliver Marty’s tongue, and I love it when comic actors like Billy take on funny roles with a serious/tragic side. This could be an Oscar for the right performance. This could be Billy’s Dead Poet (Robin Williams) or more like his Nothing in Common (Jackie Gleason-with Tom Hanks). I can imagine BALLING seeing Ted driving home with a passed away Billy Crystal slumped at the rest stop as he calls Marianna for help – worst and yet possibly most effective way to try to get another date by the way.
In many ways a name like Billy would be enough to get the picture made, like Robin Williams in House of D. While Tea may still work under her going rate for David, not sure she would work as Marianna (LOVE here on the Miss Subways Audible). Too bad I love her work. Putting in some faces like Frank Langella in smaller roles (Cheaper if you can film all their scenes in a day or two) and calling favors from friends (like Orlando Jones as Superfly) can help get a movie done. And then you can’t cast a virtual unknown kid – the cheapest labor in Hollywood – as your star.
MOMENT OF SILENCE FOR ANTON – what an amazing body of work from a soul taken far too soon.
AND NOW FOR ROBIN – one of my greatest heroes as a comic and actor. This one still stings
OK enough tears… eye moist as I type… this was supposed to be a game…
But perhaps I sell this project short. House of D – to investors of David’s first big show on his own as writer/director/producer – could easily be seen as a vanity project. Anything but this, House of D is now one of my fave movies of all time. Like so many other thing’s, being a David’s fan is the reason I know it exists, but I stay for the project itself and amazing work from the entire cast.
Bucky Fucking Dent, simply being a Baseball themed movie, will have huge appeal. The back drop of one of sport’s greatest rivalries of all time will draw crowds. This project has a proven source material – a critically acclaimed novel. It appears at least that David’s novels far surpass his music in their reach beyond his core fans from X-Files and Californication.
By all this I mean, raising money for this project maybe a bit easier, which means attracting some bigger names for other roles.
Possibly the hardest thing in casting a project is your leads. For roles like Ted and Marianna, you are talking actors that are probably in the top of their careers. But these roles are not just any roles. They require talent. Finding talent with names to sell a project can get costly.
At this stage in development you have to juggle –
How much will this scrip bring in ticket sales?
Will this actor sell enough more tickets to justify their asking price?
And in 2018 the biggest question, believe it or not – how much can I get in foreign distribution with this casting? (Seriously, a lot of upfront money comes form pre-selling foreign distribution.). There are lists out there of talent, based on what they can expect to make and bring into a production based on their name alone being attached to the project. These numbers are used to raise money for the project.
As a non studio film, access to big name talent is tough. Many names are already contracted and busy.
Conversely, there are 1000s of amazing actors you have never heard that would kill in this movie, but would they sell tickets. Who cares how good a movie is if no one ever sees it, right. (Assuming IFC festival runs not the end goal)
I digress….
What about Danny McBride as Ted?
Now hear is the thing… I am not a huge fan. I have not watched any of his TV shows. I do not love stoner movies. I have liked the better offerings of the genre (is it really a genre – am I sounding too much like a David novel – am I being WAY to pretentious by saying so – why is it I hear David’s audible voice reading as I type – I’m such a weirdo).
But, again, I keep going there in my head. Unlike a lot of those guys in that “genre” I think Danny has a decent serious side to work the character’s demanding moments (Think Tropic Thunder, basically playing the straight man) and funny enough for the comic elements (Every other movie/show on resume). In every comedy, there is a sense of tragedy I think Danny plays better than other contemporaries. He can bring the depth and heart this story needs.
Looks wise he seems right off the page of David’s words describing Ted. Not too fat, not too thin, a bit scruffy around the edges. You could picture Danny in that beat up Carola and matching walk up apartment.
I think Danny and Billy could become one of the greatest match ups of all time. Two guys you would almost never imagine in a movie together but once together you think, why did it take so long to put these guys on a road trip together. Between the two, financing could be great as the team raises cash for production. And each has their own built in following to sell a lot of theater tickets.
Moving on, I keep fighting dream casting instincts with movie financing/production instincts. Also the go to Latina actresses in my head do not necessarily fit 100% to the book, as I interpret. As I read/listen I see a face that does not match the easy choices AND a few that would be perfect might be too in between age wise for Marianna or Maria.
The two in my head I do not think would work for Maria – Rita Moreno maybe too old, Rosie Perez too young. Rosie I think could be perfect for either role with just 10 years added/subtracted.
Maybe Rosario Dawson can pull off a Latina NYC Nurse? Or just do yet one more pop in as the same Marvel Comics Netflix character. Cross over appeal? Her ability to commit to Ted is complicated… because she is stitching up powered people trying not to be super “heroes”. The other man is actually… OK never mind.
MAYBE Jennifer Lopez. She has been doing a lot of TV and trying to wash away the Idol stink a bit.
Maybe Jessica Alba? Might be just the kind of role for the actress to get some serious acting nods, with so many wannabe blockbuster mediocre franchise flicks on the resume.
Roselyn Sanchez? Might be busy filming Grand Hotel this summer.
Here is a long shot… “Daniella Alonso was born in New York City, to a large family of Puerto Rican, Peruvian, and Japanese descent…” IMDB. Perusing IMDB this description stuck out more than the picture/name based on Ted’s initial response to Marianna’s looks.
For Marianna, how about Adriana Barraza.
I found this name thinking like casting director, not so much casting stars I know in my head. The picture above is with Jennifer Anniston in the movie Cake. But if you check out here IMBD, she has worked mostly in Spanish Speaking film/TV and has served on many projects – including Spanglish – as an acting coach. Something about this works for me.
